Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea

Take the prescribed medicine exactly as directed, avoid self-treatment, and complete any requested follow-up. Sexual partners may need confidential testing and treatment even when they feel well.

Resistance means the bacteria have changes that let them survive an antibiotic that would otherwise control them. It does not mean your body has become resistant, and it cannot be determined from symptoms alone.

Gonorrhoea may cause painful urination or genital discharge, but it can also cause no noticeable symptoms. A sample from urine or the relevant body site helps confirm infection; additional laboratory testing may guide the choice of medicine if resistance or treatment failure is suspected.

Attend the treating clinic promptly and tell the clinician about allergies, pregnancy, recent antibiotics and the body sites exposed during sex. This information helps them select the right tests and treatment.

Avoid sexual contact until the clinician’s advised waiting period has passed and partners have been managed. Return for repeat testing when requested. Do not share antibiotics or save doses, since incomplete or unsuitable treatment can leave infection present.

Contact the clinic promptly if symptoms persist or return after treatment, or if a partner reports ongoing infection. Further sampling may be needed before another antibiotic is chosen.

Seek urgent care for severe lower abdominal pain, fever with pelvic pain, sudden or intense testicular pain or swelling, or feeling faint and very unwell. These features can signal complications requiring rapid examination.

Ask which sites are being tested, whether resistance testing is indicated, when follow-up should occur, and how partners can access confidential care. Clarify when sexual contact can resume and whether screening for other sexually transmitted infections is recommended.